Waters has been working as deputy editor for Archant Norfolk's flagship title for the last three years.
He steps into a role formerly occupied by Peter Franzen OBE, who has retired after 16 years as the newspaper's editor, a press release said.
"I am delighted that we have been able to promote from within our team. Peter [Waters] has done an excellent job for us. He has already set about leading the cultural change for the future. I'm sure he will continue that work as our new brand editor for the EDP and EDP24," said Archant Norfolk managing director, Stephan Phillips, in the release.
Waters began his career at the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Advertiser and East Anglian Post. He became the youngest editor in the country at 18, according to the release
He later moved to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo as deputy chief sub-editor, before working as production editor for Thomson Newspapers and then deputy editor of EMAP's Evening Telegraph in Peterborough.
Finance reporter - property
